YOU BELONG

 

In college during my Hippie phase I had long hair, wore fringe pants

and as a flower child…I was a sight…

I remember going home to meet up with a friend who had joined the Army

and attend our high school basketball game one Friday night.

We walked into the opponent’s school…to watch our high school team perform 

me decked out in my Hippie threads and my friend in his Army uniform…

We were excited…two best friends, smiling and humming our school’s fight song

when we were met by a security guard who welcomed in my friend

then told me to go home…because I didn’t belong.

A little less than a year before we sat side by side watching our futures being determined on TV

wondering where our numbers would come up…in he Vietnam War draft lottery.

 

On that night…the Fates were both compassionate and cruel…

because my friend…whose number was low…joined the Army

While I…whose number was high…headed off to school.

So we were stunned when we met a security guard so headstrong

that my friend was welcomed to the game while I was told…I didn’t belong. 

I also taught Autistic students for years…where my feelings were quite strong

to help them navigate a world where some people thought they didn’t belong.

This was my only personal experience with that kind of prejudice and discrimination

I never felt it’s sting based on my sex, race, age, skin color, religion, or sexual orientation.

But to all you who some people are convinced in this world you don’t belong….

Stay strong…for they are wrong…and no matter how loud they shout…

they will always be wrong. 

It doesn’t matter iif their reasons are based in their religions, their biases, their irrational fears 

or what they decide are societal norms.

No matter what road blocks they put in your way…what obstacles…what storms…

No matter how many times they tell you you don’t belong…stay strong 

because no matter how loud they shout…they are wrong and they will always be wrong.

I pray these same people will one day see the light…and find a way to start

to know you…for who you are…for what ’s inside your heart…

When they do they will understand not only do you belong…

but how the world is a much more beautiful place since you came along.

I believe if they can put their fear and prejudice aside…they, too, will be amazed…

Wisdom from a 73 year old man…now well into his Hippie phase.